We’ve all got that one friend who has absolutely NO VOLUME CONTROL. That friend who is just generally a fairly flamboyant figure – or ‘outgoing’ as we like to tell them… – and who flounces around London, leaving a path of partially deaf and completely exhausted friends, colleagues and strangers behind them. It’s not entirely their fault, though…anyone would think that living in such a vibrant, bustling city would leave enough room for vibrant, bustling people to go fairly unnoticed (or at least not so noticed). But oh no. How wrong were we all. There are some serious struggles of being a loud person living in London…
1. You live in a flat share of 7 (because, London) meaning you’re constantly told to ‘keep it down’.
2. And although you love that you always have an audience/someone to talk to/at, it also means having to compete for the spotlight more often that you’d like.
3. Having sex is beyond the bounds of possibility…out of respect not only for your flatmates, but your entire borough.
5. You’re not nosey. Just friendly. Which is so very often rudely misconstrued.
6. Well, maybe a bit nosey.
7. But being quiet for an entire half an hour tube journey sounds like hell on earth.
9. And discovering this has got you into a lot of trouble before…(remember asking how Laura’s rash was doing on the bus and 5 minutes later someone passed her some cream?…yes, Laura does too).
11. And that they need to get over it. Secrets, schmecrets.
12. You feel personally attacked whenever there’s a situation that forbids noise.
14. Especially on the bus/in the lift at work/at the doctors.
15. People judge you before they even get to know because of your volume. And ‘out there’ demeanour.
17. Quiet coaches on trains are in your opinion everything that is wrong with this country.
18. Your laugh is the type of laugh that is funnier than the joke.
20. But you’re well aware that you are one of a handful of that 8 million that actually enjoys talking to street fundraisers.
21. Making you unique.
Featured Image Credit: Street Art By LA